"Two bad challenges. I saw them on TV in the dressing room. The first one was a very dangerous tackle by Welbeck, I was very lucky to be honest because I could have broken my leg.

"The second one was an elbow by Fellaini. It was also a red card but at the end of the day we should respect the referee's decision."

Manchester City won 3-0 at Old Trafford but right-back Zabaleta was on the receiving end of a late tackle by Welbeck and was elbowed by Marouane Fellaini, and he said United should have ended the game with nine men.

Referee Michael Oliver showed both United players a yellow card, but the Argentina international said they should have been dismissed and was particularly annoyed by Welbeck's tackle.

Edin Dzeko scored twice and Yaya Toure once as City became the first team to record three successive Premier League wins at Old Trafford.

And Zabaleta hailed his colleagues for their performance as they recorded a derby double over United this season.

He added: "We know how difficult it is to go there and get a result, but we have a fantastic team and great individual players who sometimes make the difference on the pitch.

"But the way we played as a team was fantastic, with great team spirit. We know this game is so special for the club and the fans, but it is also special for the players.

"Winning was great, especially as we know that with nine games to go in the season we cannot drop points. Everything is in our hands and hopefully we can keep playing this, and winning games."